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><H1
CLASS="SECT1"
><A
NAME="AEN595"
>4.6. The <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var</TT
> filesystem</A
></H1
><P
>The <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var</TT
> contains data that is changed
	when the system is running normally.  It is specific for each
	system, i.e., not shared over the network with other computers.

	<DIV
CLASS="GLOSSLIST"
><DL
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/cache/man</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>A cache for man pages that are formatted on
		demand.  The source for manual pages is usually stored in
		<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/usr/share/man/man?/</TT
> (where ? is the
		manual section.  See the manual page for
		<B
CLASS="COMMAND"
>man</B
> in section 7); some manual pages
		might come with a pre-formatted version, which might be
		stored in <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/usr/share/man/cat*</TT
>. Other
		manual pages need to be formatted when they are first
		viewed; the formatted version is then stored in
		<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/cache/man</TT
> so that the next person
		to view the same page won't have to wait for it to be
		formatted. </P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/games</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Any variable data belonging to games in
		<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/usr</TT
> should be placed here.  This is in
		case /usr is mounted read only.
		</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/lib</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Files that change while the system is
		running normally.</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/local</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Variable data for programs that are
		installed in <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/usr/local</TT
> (i.e.,
		programs that have been installed by the system
		administrator).  Note that even locally installed
		programs should use the other <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var</TT
>
		directories if they are appropriate, e.g.,
		<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/lock</TT
>.</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/lock</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Lock files.  Many programs
		follow a convention to create a lock file in
		<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/lock</TT
> to indicate that they
		are using a particular device or file.	Other programs
		will notice the lock file and won't attempt to use the
		device or file.</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/log</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Log files from various programs, especially
		<B
CLASS="COMMAND"
>login</B
>
		(<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/log/wtmp</TT
>, which logs all logins
		and logouts into the system) and <B
CLASS="COMMAND"
>syslog</B
>
		(<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/log/messages</TT
>, where all kernel
		and system program message are usually stored). Files in
		<TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/log</TT
> can often grow indefinitely,
		and may require cleaning at regular
		intervals.</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/mail</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>This is the FHS approved location for user
		mailbox files.  Depending on how far your distribution has
		gone towards FHS compliance, these files may still be held
		in <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/spool/mail</TT
>.
		</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/run</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Files that contain information about the
		system that is valid until the system is next booted.
		For example, <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/run/utmp</TT
>
		contains information about people currently logged
		in.</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/spool</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Directories for news, printer queues, and
		other queued work. Each different spool has its own
		subdirectory below <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/spool</TT
>, e.g.,
		the news spool is in <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/spool/news</TT
>.
		Note that some installations which are not fully compliant
		with the latest version of the FHS may have user mailboxes
		under <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/spool/mail</TT
>.
		</P
></DD
><DT
><B
><TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/tmp</TT
></B
></DT
><DD
><P
>Temporary files that are large
		or that need to exist for a longer time than
		what is allowed for <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/tmp</TT
>.
		(Although the system administrator might not allow
		very old files in <TT
CLASS="FILENAME"
>/var/tmp</TT
>
		either.)</P
></DD
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